Weapon sight assembly and weapon system including same

ABSTRACT

A weapon sight assembly, comprising: a platform for mounting the weapon sight assembly on a weapon; a weapon sight carried by said platform to facilitate orienting the weapon in alignment with a target in a field of view; a video camera carried by the platform for generating and outputting video signals corresponding to the viewed field; a video transmitter for transmitting the video signals; and a controller for controlling the video camera and the video transmitter.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Israel Patent Application No.166488, filed on Jan. 25, 2005, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to weapon systems, and particularly toweapon sights used by such weapons to facilitate their orientation withrespect to a target. The invention is particularly useful with respectto weapon sights for rifles and is therefore described below withrespect to such an application, but it will be appreciated that theinvention could be used with other types of weapons, such as grenadelaunchers, and the like.

A soldier-combatant during a military operation may be confronted withthe need to see around a corner or over an obstacle without personalexposure. Other serious problems involved during military operationsinclude the need to communicate battlefield conditions in real time tocommanders or to headquarters, and the need for the individualsoldier-combatants to receive commands, instructions, or otherinformation in real time from commanders or from headquarters.

An object of the present invention is to provide a weapon sightassembly, and also a weapon system including such a weapon siteassembly, having advantages in one or more of the above respects.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is a provided aweapon sight assembly, comprising: a platform for mounting the weaponsight assembly on a weapon; a weapon sight carried by the platform tofacilitate orienting the weapon in alignment with a target in a field ofview; a video camera carried by the platform for generating andoutputting video signals corresponding to the viewed field; a videotransmitter for transmitting the video signals; and a controller forcontrolling the video camera and the video transmitter.

In the described preferred embodiment, the video transmitter is ashort-range space transmitter having a range in the order of two metersor less to enable communication with a proximally-located portablecommunication apparatus.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is aprovided a weapon system, comprising: a weapon sight assembly as setforth above for mounting on a weapon; and portable communicationapparatus constructed for carrying by an individual operating the weaponand for communicating with the weapon sight assembly. In the describedpreferred embodiment, the portable communication apparatus comprises ashort-range video receiver for receiving the video signals transmittedby the video transmitter of the weapon sight assembly; and a monitor fordisplaying the region viewed by the video camera as presented by thevideo signals transmitted by the video transmitter.

According to further features in the described preferred embodiment, theportable communication apparatus comprises a first unit including theshort-range video receiver, and a second unit including the monitor.Preferably, the second unit is cable-connected to the first unit. In thedescribed embodiment, the first unit is constructed so as to beattachable to the body of the individual operating the weapon forconvenient carrying by such individual and the second unit isconstructed so as to be attachable to the arm or other body part, or tobe carried by the hand, of the individual operating the weapon forconvenient viewing by such individual.

According to still further features in the described preferredembodiment, the portable communication apparatus further comprises along-range video transmitter for transmitting the received video signalsto a commander or headquarters at a distant location; a short-range datareceiver for receiving data from the weapon sight assembly; and along-range transmitter for transmitting the received data to the distantlocation.

In the described preferred embodiment, the weapon site assembly furthercomprises a digital compass for determining the direction of orientationof the weapon and for outputting data signals corresponding thereto; anda short-range data transmitter for transmitting the data signals to thedata communication apparatus located a short distance from there, of theorder two meters or less. In the described preferred embodiment, theweapon sight assembly further comprises a data receiver for receivingdata signals transmitted through space; and a projector for opticallyprojecting onto the field of view data from the digital compass and/ordata received by the receiver.

Also included in the described preferred embodiment is a globalpositioning system (GPS) unit for geographically locating the weapon onwhich the weapon sight assembly is carried, and for outputting datasignals corresponding thereto for transmission by the data transmitterto the commander or to headquarters. For purposes of example, theinvention is described below wherein the platform is constructed formounting on a rifle barrel, but it will be appreciated that theinvention could also be used with other weapons, for example, grenadelaunchers and the like.

As will be described more particularly below, a weapon sight assemblyconstructed in accordance with the foregoing features provides a numberof advantages which may be of critical importance during battlefieldconditions. Thus, the forgoing features of the invention enable thesoldier-combatant carrying the weapon to see around corners or overprotective devices or obstacles without personal exposure to enemygunfire. In addition, the invention enables the weapon also to servealso as an intelligence-gathering device for gathering information as tobattlefield conditions and for communicating such information tocommanders or to headquarters in real time. Further, the inventionenables the soldier-combatant carrying the weapon to receive immediatecommands, instructions or other information from a commander or fromheadquarters.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described below, for purposes of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates one form of weapons systemconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates the construction of the weapon sightassembly in the weapon system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates the two units of the portablecommunication apparatus in the weapon system of FIG. 1.

It is to be understood that the drawings, and the description below, areprovided primarily for purposes of facilitating understand theconceptual aspects of the invention and various possible embodimentsthereof, including what is presently considered to be a preferredembodiment. In the interests of clarity and brevity, no attempt is madeto provide more details than necessary to enable one skilled in the art,using routine skill and design, to understand and practice the describedinvention. It is to be further understood that the embodiment describedis for purposes of example only, and that the invention is capable ofbeing embodied in other forms and applications than described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The weapon system illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a weapon sightassembly, generally designated 10, mounted on a weapon, in this case arifle; and portable communication apparatus, generally designated 20,constructed for carrying by an individual operating the weapon, namely acombatant-soldier, for establishing communication between the weaponsight assembly 10 and a commander 30 or headquarters 40 at a distantlocation. As will be more particularly described below with respect toFIGS. 2 and 3, a two-way short-range communication loop is establishedbetween the weapon system sight assembly 10 and the portablecommunication apparatus 20; and a long-range two-way communication loopis established between the portable communication apparatus 20 and thedistant location of the commander 30 or headquarters 40.

The weapon sight assembly 10 mounted on the rifle illustrated in FIG. 1is more particularly shown in FIG. 2. It includes a weapon sight 11 ofany desired type to facilitate orienting the weapon in alignment with atarget in the field of view, and a platform 12 for mounting the weaponsight assembly on the rifle (or other weapon) e.g. via clamps 12 a.

Weapon sight assembly 10 further includes a video camera 13 carried byplatform 12 for generating and outputting video signals corresponding tothe viewed field. It further includes a short-range video transmitter 14for transmitting such video signals to the portable communicationapparatus 20. The range of video transmitter 14 is very short,preferably in the order of one meter or less, only sufficient tocommunicate with the proximally-located portable communication apparatus20.

Weapon sight assembly 10 further includes: a digital compass 15 of anyknown type for determining the direction of orientation of the weapon(rifle) and for outputting data signals corresponding to such determinedorientation; a data projector 16 for optically projecting in the fieldof view data from the digital compass 15; and a short-range datatransceiver (transmitter/receiver) 17 also in communication with theproximally-located portable communication apparatus 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the weapon sight assembly 10 may also includea global positioning system (GPS) unit 18 for geographically locatingthe respecting weapon and for outputting data signals corresponding tothe geographical location. Such data may also be transmitted by theshort-range data transceiver 17 to the proximally-located portablecommunication apparatus 20.

The control of all the foregoing components carried by the weapon sightassembly 10 is effected by a controller 19 also mounted on platform 12of assembly 10.

The portable communication apparatus 20, as shown in FIG. 3. includestwo separate units 21, 22, cable-connected together as shown at 23. Unit21 is the larger of the two and is constructed so as to be attachable tothe body of the individual (soldier-combatant) operating the weapon(rifle). For example, unit 21 may include clips 21 a attachable to aprotective vest worn by the individual. Unit 22, the smaller of the twounits, is constructed so as to be attachable to the arm, or to becarried by the hand, of the individual operating the weapon forconvenient reviews by the individual; for example, unit 22 could bestrapped to this arm, or attached by a bracket to the protective vest ofthis individual.

Smaller unit 22 is used primarily as a monitor for viewing the videoinformation generated by the video camera 13 in the weapon sight system10, or for viewing commands, instructions or other informationtransmitted to the individual operating the weapon by his commander 30or by headquarters 40. Accordingly, the smaller unit 22 may be similarin size and construction to a personal digital assistant (PDA) having ascreen 24 for displaying the foregoing information.

As shown in FIG. 3, the larger portable communication unit 21 (e.g.,constructed so as to be vest-worn by the individual) includes ashort-range video receiver 25 and a short-range data transceiver 26 forcommunication with the short-range video transmitter 14 and theshort-range data transceiver 17, respectively, of the weapon sightassembly illustrated in FIG. 2. Portable communication unit 21 furtherincludes a long-range video transmitter 27 and a long-range datatransceiver 28, e.g., having a range of several hundred meters,sufficiently for communicating with the remotely-located commander 30 orheadquarters 40 (FIG. 1). The foregoing components of the vest-wornportable communication unit 21 are all controlled by a controller 29included within that unit.

It will be seen that weapon system, including a weapon sight assembly asillustrated in FIG. 2 and portable communication apparatus asillustrated in FIG. 3, provides a number of advantages which can beparticularly important during combat conditions.

Thus, the soldier-combatant carrying the weapon (e.g. rifle) may use theweapon also to see around a corner or over an obstacle. This can be donewithout exposure to possible enemy fire by merely orienting the weaponcarrying the sight assembly such that the video camera 13 on thatassembly views the region of interest. The video signals outputted fromthe camera are transmitted via the short-range transmitter 14 to theproximally-located portable communication unit 21. The latter unit iscable-connected to the smaller monitor unit 22 such that the videosignals received by the short-range video receiver 25 of portablecommunication unit 21 are displayed to the soldier-combatant on thescreen 24 of the smaller arm-carried or hand-held unit 22.

Since the sight assembly 10 mounted on the weapon requires onlyshort-range communication (e.g. of less than one meter) with theportable communication unit 21, the sight assembly may of relativelylight weight so as to impose a minimum load on the weapon itself. Also,since the communication between the sight assembly 10 and the portablecommunication unit 21 is wireless, the communication with the portablecommunication unit 21 imposes no interference or awkwardness in the useof the weapon.

Further and as noted above, the portable communication unit 21, whichincludes not only the short-range communication equipment forcommunicating with the weapon sight assembly 10 but also the long-rangecommunication equipment for communicating the commander 30 and/orheadquarters 40, is constructed so as to be conveniently carried on thebody of the individual soldier-combatant, e.g. by attachment to thecombatant's vest. The communication unit therefore also imposes verylittle restriction on the movements of the individual combatant/soldier.In addition, since the actual field of view is displayed by the smallmonitor unit 22, which can also be conveniently carried and maneuveredby the individual (e.g., by being strapped to the individual's arm orcarried by the individual's hand), the field viewed by the video camera13 on the weapon sight assembly 10 may be conveniently seen by thesoldiers-combatant whenever desired.

The weapon sight assembly 10, and the portable communication apparatus20 communicating with it, also serve as an important intelligencegathering means for real-time gathering and transmitting, to a commanderor to headquarters, information regarding battlefield conditions. Thus,the video information from video camera 13, digital compass informationfrom digital compass 15, and/or geographical information from GPS unit18, all on the weapon sight assembly 10, may be transmitted to thecommander 30 and/or headquarters 40 via the portable communication unit21. Further, the commander 30 and/or headquarters 40 may communicatecommands, instructions or other information to the individualsoldier/combatants via the long-range receivers in communication unit21. Such commands, instructions or information may also be displayed onscreen 24 of the small monitor unit 22 carried by the individual.

In addition, controller 19 carried by the weapon sight assembly 10 canbe directly controlled by the remotely-located commander 30 and/or byheadquarters 40 to initiate operation of the video camera 13 carried bythe weapon sight assembly 10 whenever desired, or to terminate itsoperation, e.g. in order to display urgent information or an urgentcommand to the individual soldier/combatant on the small monitor unit22.

While the invention has been described with respect to one preferredembodiment, it will be appreciated that many variations and otherapplications may be made. For example, the weapon sight assembly 10could omit one or more of the above-described components, e.g., the GPSunit 18 or the digital compass unit 15. Alternatively, the weapon sightassembly could include additional components, e.g., a microphone toenable voice communication with the commander or headquarters.

Many other variations, modifications and applications of the inventionwill be apparent.

1. A weapon sight assembly, comprising: a platform for mounting theweapon sight assembly on a weapon; a weapon sight carried by saidplatform to facilitate orienting the weapon in alignment with a targetin a field of view; a video camera carried by said platform forgenerating and outputting video signals corresponding to the viewedfield; a video transmitter for transmitting said video signals; and acontroller for controlling said video camera and said video transmitter.2. The weapon sight assembly according to claim 1, wherein said videotransmitter is a short-range space transmitter having a range in theorder of two meters or less.
 3. The weapon sight assembly according toclaim 2, wherein said assembly further comprises: a digital compass fordetermining the direction of orientation of the weapon and foroutputting data signals corresponding thereto; and a short-range datatransmitter for transmitting said data signals a short distance of theorder one meter or less.
 4. The weapon sight assembly according to claim3, wherein said assembly further comprises: a data receiver forreceiving data signals transmitted through space; and a projector foroptically projecting onto the field of view data from said digitalcompass and/or data received by said receiver.
 5. The weapon sightassembly according to claim 4, wherein said assembly further comprises:a global positioning system (GPS) unit for geographically locating theweapon on which the weapon sight assembly is carried, and for outputtingdata signals corresponding thereto for transmission by said datatransmitter.
 6. The weapon sight assembly according to claim 1, whereinsaid platform is constructed for mounting on a rifle barrel.
 7. A weaponsystem, comprising: a weapon sight assembly according to claim 2 formounting on a weapon; and portable communication apparatus constructedfor carrying by an individual operating the weapon and for communicatingwith with said weapon sight assembly.
 8. The weapon system according toclaim 7, wherein said portable communication apparatus comprises: ashort-range video receiver for receiving the video signals transmittedby the video transmitter of said weapon sight assembly; and a monitorfor displaying the region viewed by said video camera as preseuted bythe video signals transmitted by said video transmitter.
 9. The weaponsystem according to claim 8, wherein said portable communicationapparatus comprises; a first unit including said short-range videoreceiver, and a second unit including said monitor.
 10. The weaponsystem according to claim 9, wherein said second unit of the portablecommunication apparatus is cable-connected to said first unit of theportable communication apparatus.
 11. The weapon system according toclaim 9, wherein said first unit of the portable communication apparatusis constructed so as to be attachable to the body of the individualoperating the weapon for convenient carrying by said individual; andsaid second unit of the portable communication apparatus is constructedso as to be attachable to the arm or other part of the body, or to becarried by the hand, of the individual operating the weapon forconvenient viewing by said individual.
 12. The weapon system accordingto claim 8, wherein said portable communication apparatus furthercomprises a long-range video transmitter for transmitting the receivedvideo signals to a more distant location with respect to that of theweapon.
 13. The weapon system according to claim 12, wherein saidportable communication apparatus further comprises: a short-range datareceiver for receiving data from said weapon sight assembly; and along-range data transmitter for transmitting the received data to saiddistant location.